Northern Ireland 0-2 Germany

Northern Ireland impressed but were narrowly beaten 2-0 at Windsor Park by an unconvincing Germany in European Championship qualifying.

Conor Washington couldn't find the net in the opening 45 minutes despite having two great chances, with the visitors scoring their goals after the break.

In a busy first half, Germany stuck to their philosphy of building from the back, which saw them having to contend with a high, aggressive press from Northern Ireland.

After just 7 minutes, the visitors were forced into an error. Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos was quickly closed down while trying to play a pass from deep in his own half, with the ball breaking perfectly into the feet of Conor Washington, just inside the Germany box.

The striker suddenly found himself one-one-one with Manuel Neuer and even had the time to take a touch and set himself, but he was quickly closed down by the German captain, who made a good strong save with his left arm.

Germany always seemed liable to make an error in their insistence on building up play with quick passes around the defence, but they remained incisive and dangerous in attack.

In the 18th minute, Jonny Evans was caught in possession, and seconds later his defensive partner Craig Cathcart was perfectly placed to clear a dangerous Tim Werner cross that was en route to Serge Gnabry for a back post tap-in.

Werner then went close to breaking the deadlock when his 27th minute volley was deflected narrowly wide, and defender Niklas Sule somehow failed to score from the resulting corner, as the ball broke to the center-back inside the 6 yard box.

In added time at the end of the first half, Washington had an even better chance to fire Northern Ireland into the lead.

Stuart Dallas drove down the right before whipping in a low cross which Neuer could only push to Washington, 3 yards from goal. However, the striker couldn't sort his feet out quickly enough, and scuffed a tame effort that was blocked by a combination of Neuer and one of his defenders.

3 minutes into the second half, Germany took the lead through Marcel Halstenberg.

A cross from the opposite flank was too high for Julian Brandt to make clean contact, but the ball dropped kindly for the left back who lashed a superb half-volley into the top corner from 12 yards.

Germany then went close to quickly doubling their lead as Klostermann blazed over from close range before Werner forced Bailey Peacock-Farrell into a diving save in the 54th minute.

Just after the hour, Gavin Whyte was introduced from the bench and made an instant impact. His pace and trickery down the right saw him evade goalscorer Halstenberg, before pulling the ball back to Stuart Dallas, who steered his shot just inches wide of the bottom corner.

The visitors finally made sure of the result in added time when Kai Havertz played in Gnabry who finished well from a tight angle.